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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

concerning booster seat

70 replies

boefmom · 06/08/2018 22:09

to want ds to continue to use booster seat even if he's over 12 years old, but under 135cm, even if he consideres it uncool...

OP posts:
RocknRolla · 06/08/2018 22:10

I would still use it until he is the correct height he should be in one.

Aprilshowersinaugust · 06/08/2018 22:12

Being dead is more uncool.

TheBrilloPad · 06/08/2018 22:15

Over 12? So secondary school age? No, I wouldn't make my child use one. Bullying can be awful at that age, and bullying is far more likely to have a day to day impact on his life than the unlikely car crash/death.

And I say that as someone who still has 4.5year old DD rear-facing and takes car seat safety seriously.

bostonkremekrazy · 06/08/2018 22:17

Isnt it age 12 or 135cm....whichever comes first?
My 11 yr old is nowhere near 135cm but we will let him stop at age 12.
I thought it was related to the formation of the pelvis for the belt going across the bones...and this was where the age came in?

cakedup · 06/08/2018 22:19

Children aged 12 and over do not need to use a booster seat even if they are under 135cm. The main risk is that the lap part of the belt sits across the stomach rather than the hips and if the car stopped suddenley this could cause injuries to the internal organs. However, by the age of 12, the organs are settled enough and strong enough to take the impact.

Original poster
boefmom · 06/08/2018 22:21

I didn't realize it could be safer once kids reach a certain age. Is there a proof?

OP posts:
Lazypuppy · 06/08/2018 22:23

Please don't make him sit in a booster seat!!!

AveEldon · 06/08/2018 22:33

Is it just a booster cushion or a high backed booster?

A high backed booster will give side impact protection

cakedup · 06/08/2018 22:40

Is there proof? It's the same research that made you buy a booster seat in the first place. I am a road safety officer for my local council and can assure you that this information is correct.

Jupiter9 · 06/08/2018 22:51

Some short adults use booster seats so I would continue until you feel comfortable. Good luck.

MrsPreston11 · 06/08/2018 23:09

Can you cut a deal? As I’ve been thinking about this lately.

School run etc no booster.

But if it’s a long motorway journey etc then he needs it?

Original poster
boefmom · 07/08/2018 10:03

There clearly exist very different opinions about this issue :-)

OP posts:
Gooseygoosey12345 · 07/08/2018 10:17

If he's the height required to not use one it's safer for him not to. If he's still under that height then I'd continue to use it

Whitelisbon · 07/08/2018 10:19

My 12yo ds is 125cm, and still uses his hbb.
Without, the seatbelt rubs on his neck (well, more the side of his face), and he really isn't comfortable.

MrsSnootyPants2018 · 07/08/2018 10:23

At 12 not only can the seatbelt sit properly, his bones and other parts of the body have formed and are more tough and able to cope more with the impact.

LooksBetterWithAFilter · 07/08/2018 10:25

There are also lots of adults under 135cm tall that don’t use booster seats. It is 135cm or 12 whichever comes first. What if they never reach 135cm how long would you keep them in it?
I take car seat safety very seriously and all mine were in hbb long after their friends moved on to booster cushions and they were all rear facing as long as possible.
Like a Pp said it’s the same research that led you to use the booster in the first place and the 12 year old thing is there for a reason. I’d personally let him stop using it now.

BarbaraHepworth · 07/08/2018 10:27

Thanks cakedup - I'd not looked at rules for ages and hadn't realised my 12 year old was fine without one anyway.

I did measure him before we went on a long motorway journey the other week and he was - finally! - 135cm so I let him off.

Poor chap, I'd been insistent for weeks that it was 135 cm or car seat. He was adamant that 'nobody else' his height was in one. Seems he was right!

Also very glad to hear of so many other compact 12 year olds Grin.

Original poster
boefmom · 07/08/2018 13:40

In many countries the rule is 12 yo or 1.50. Makes me doubt that 12yo and under 1.35 is safe..

OP posts:
NoNarnas · 07/08/2018 13:44

boefmom- but why 12? There must be some scientific evidence that says at 12 bodies can cope without the booster. Otherwise the rule would just be 135cm regardless of age.

ManorGreyhound · 07/08/2018 14:01

But if it’s a long motorway journey etc then he needs it?

Fewer than 5% of road fatalities happen on motorways. UK motorways are by a long way the safest roads the world.

HaveSomeGrace · 07/08/2018 14:01

HTH.

concerning booster seat
Jupiter9 · 07/08/2018 14:05

I wouldn't take a child to
senior school in a car seat like that.

Jupiter9 · 07/08/2018 14:07

It would be hard work carrying them through the school gates and very embarrassing.

Original poster
boefmom · 07/08/2018 14:17

Well is says it is advised to use a booster seat until 5', and it is not referred anymore to age

OP posts:
Booboostwo · 07/08/2018 14:51

I always thought there were two considerations:

  • age relating to maturity of the organs for the lap belt
  • and height relating to the correct position of the shoulder belt.

No one uses HBB for children where we live (despite it being a legal requirement) but DD still has to. Better embarrassed than dead.

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